# Icariin Against Neurodegeneration: A Focus in Cell Death Pathways

## TL;DR

This review explores how the flavonoid icariin may protect against neurodegeneration by targeting specific cell death pathways.

## Contribution

The paper provides a synthesis of icariin's molecular mechanisms in modulating distinct cell death pathways in neurological models.

## Key findings

- Icariin shows potential to intercept apoptosis, ferroptosis, and excitotoxicity.
- Current evidence on icariin's interaction with specific cell death mechanisms is fragmented.
- The review clarifies icariin's molecular logic in modulating neurological cell death pathways.

## Abstract

Distinct molecular pathways of cell death drive the progression of neurological pathologies. Targeting the signaling cascades induced by oxidative stress and inflammation within these pathways is central to developing cytoprotective therapies against apoptosis, ferroptosis, and excitotoxicity. In recent years, the flavonoid icariin has emerged as a promising candidate, showing significant potential to intercept these specific cell death mechanisms. However, while the current literature highlights icariin’s general neuroprotective effects, evidence regarding its precise interaction with distinct cell death modalities remains fragmented. This review synthesizes current knowledge to clarify the molecular logic by which icariin modulates these specific pathways in neurological models.